Benefit Activation Checklist
Step-by-step guide to activate and maximize every benefit on this card.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Welcome Offer
bonus_miles
bonus_miles_full
How to Earn Rewards
4x
Points on all Southwest® purchases (raised from 3x in 2025 revamp)
2x
Points at gas stations and restaurants (no cap — distinct from Plus's capped 2x)
1x
Points on all other purchases
Key Benefits
Tap any benefit to see details.
7,500 Bonus Points on Each Cardholder Anniversary
Receive 7,500 Rapid Rewards bonus points each cardmember anniversary year. Worth approximately $105. NOTE: Priority is the only personal Southwest card without an anniversary coupon — Plus + Premier include a 10%/15% promo code each year that the Priority lacks.
10,000 Companion Pass Qualifying Points Boost (Annual)
Earn one boost of 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each calendar year. Deposited by January 31st each calendar year (or up to 30 days after account opening). Major Companion Pass accelerator (CP requires 100,000 qualifying points).
2,500 Tier Qualifying Points Per $5,000 Spent (Annual)
Earn 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent in purchases annually (raised from 1,500 TQPs in the 2025 revamp). Major A-List status acceleration — vs Premier's 1,500 TQPs/$5K and Plus's none.
Preferred Seat Selection at Booking + Extra Legroom Upgrades 48hr Before Departure
Select a Preferred seat at booking, when available, for cardholder + up to 8 passengers on same reservation. Plus, free upgrade to Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure when available. (For flights operating in 2026 and beyond.) Average value $310 in travel value per round trip. UNIQUE to the Priority among personal SW cards. Especially valuable since Southwest's assigned seating launch on January 27, 2026.
25% Back on Southwest Inflight Purchases (Drinks & WiFi)
Earn 25% back as statement credits on Southwest inflight purchases of drinks and WiFi.
First Checked Bag Free for Cardholder + 8 Passengers
First checked bag free for cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation. Per Southwest's April 9, 2026 fee update, first bag is now $45 (was $35) — making this benefit more valuable. (Southwest ended its long-standing free-bags-for-all policy on May 28, 2025; this is now a major card differentiator.)
Group 5 Boarding for Cardholder + 8 Passengers
Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers traveling on the same reservation board with Group 5 (or earlier if they qualify based on tier status, fare type, or seat type/location), giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
Travel and Purchase Protections
Includes auto rental collision damage waiver, roadside dispatch, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, lost/delayed luggage reimbursement, travel and emergency assistance, and travel accident insurance.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
The Priority is the only personal Southwest card that offers free seat selection at booking, even when booking the "basic" fare class.
This card is worth it if you value being able to pick your seats right at the time of booking and want to hope for Extra Legroom seats 48 hours in advance. Oddly the Priority card doesn't include any anniversary coupon like the lower annual fee cards do. Compare them in Katie's Southwest card guide.
With any offer, pay close attention to Companion Pass timelines if you're hoping to earn a Companion Pass.
Benefits Calculator
What's the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card worth to you? Get a personalized estimate.
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Benefits Calculator
What's the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card worth to you? Get a personalized estimate.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Benefits Calculator
Enter your personal estimated annual value for each benefit to see a customized calculation of the card's worth.
Receive 7,500 Rapid Rewards bonus points each cardmember anniversary year. Worth approximately $105. NOTE: Priority is the only personal Southwest card without an anniversary coupon — Plus + Premier include a 10%/15% promo code each year that the Priority lacks.
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First checked bag free for cardmember and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation. Per Southwest's April 9, 2026 fee update, first bag is now $45 (was $35) — making this benefit more valuable. (Southwest ended its long-standing free-bags-for-all policy on May 28, 2025; this is now a major card differentiator.) (per-use benefit — value depends on how often you'll use it)
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Your Total Annual Value
$0
Annual Fee: annual_fees
Your Net Value / Cost
$0
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 90,000 Bonus PointsCurrentElevated | $3,000 in 3 months | Current as of June 2026 |
| 100,000 Bonus PointsElevated | Standard spend req | Elevated; ended September 2025 |
| 85,000 Bonus PointsElevated | $3,000 in 3 months | Elevated; ended December 2025 |
| 40,000 Points + Promotional Companion PassElevated | Standard spend req | Ended March 19, 2026 |
| 60,000 Bonus Points | $2,000 in 3 months | Standard (as of May 1, 2026) |
